MEN IN BLACK 3 (MIB3) LANDS AT A THEATER NEAR YOU TODAY!

So, I am going to rewatch MIB 1 and 2 this weekend before I see 3.  I hear it's pretty good.  tbc... z

DARK SHADOWS SINKS IT'S TEETH INTO THEATERS TODAY

MARVIN ETZIONI & THE STRING QUARTET PERFORMED AT THE GRAND OLE ECHO

Stay tuned!

REMEMBERING BEASTIE BOYS' MCA AND AUTHOR MAURICE SENDAK

This morning, I found out via Facebook that Maurice Sendak died.  A piece of my childhood died along with him.  He wrote the children's classic book Where The Wild Things Are back in 1963.  Millions of children all over the world have read his book(s).  This  news takes me back to when another beloved children's auther Theodor Seuss Geisel died in 1991.

I know that people are born and people will die.  It's the cycle of life.  However, don't we all believe that certain people will live on forever?  Thank goodness at least we have their books.  If you haven't already, I highly recommend you watch the documentary called Tell Them Anything You Want.

I cannot help but wonder how Spike Jonze is doing?  He co-directed the docu and numerous Beastie Boys videos.  In the past week, Spike has lost two native Brooklyn-ites:{  I feel for you Brooklyn!

R.I.P. Maurice...

THE AVENGERS LAND IN THEATERS TODAY!

OUT TODAY: SEGAL & BLUNT STAR IN THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT

The Five-Year Engagement is out today!  Check back this weekend for more deets.  Thanks!

MANDOLIN MAN MARVIN ETZIONI IS BACK WITH MARVIN COUNTRY

While listening to both discs of Marvin Country, I get a sense of new discovery with every listen.  This assortment of musical poetry transports me.  Isn’t that what music is supposed to do?  If you don’t know who Marvin Etzioni is, may I suggest you Google him.  For now please allow me to share a few snippets… He is the original bassist/co-founder/songwriter for the pioneering LA roots rock band Lone Justice.  Through the 90’s he kept busy and wore one or more “hats” as producer/performer/songwriter with Toad the Wet Sprocket, Maria McKee, Peter Case, Sam Phillips, Counting Crows and The Williams Brothers.  In 2006, he performed on the much-talked about Dixie Chicks release, Taking the Long Way.

On Marvin Country, some of his Lone Justice mates join him: Maria McKee (You Possess Me), Don Heffington (various) and Lone Justice 2.0 Shane Fontayne (Where’s Your Analog Spirit?).  Other guests include John Doe (The Grapes of Wrath), Richard Thompson (It Don’t Cost Much), Steve Earle (Ain’t No Work in Mississippi), Lucinda Williams (Lay It on the Table), and this AMAZING 27-year-old blues guitar whiz Trevor Menear (Trouble Holding Back).  The first time I heard the song, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground!

Two songs (You Are the Light and Miss This World) were previously recorded by other artists but get a fresh reboot here.  One was previously a demo (You Possess Me) by Marvin and other artists but gets a new recording here.  Also, one was a key song in early live Lone Justice shows (The Grapes of Wrath).  Marvin is a true troubadour that seems from another time.  He has the lyric poetry and depth of legends Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen but with a voice somewhat reminiscent of Tom Waits.  The pedal steel guitar riffs by Greg Liesz fit masterfully with Marvin’s vocals and lyrics.  The squeezebox and accordions are courtesy of session musician/songwriter Phil Parlapiano.  There’s a sample of Gram Parsons in the song Gram Revisited.  Hey if Snoop Dogg can project an image of Tupac Shakur at Coachella, then Marvin Etzioni can sample Gram talking at the legendary Palamino in 1972! 

Do yourself a favor and listen to Marvin Country, then see Marvin perform at the Grand Old Echo LA, CA Sunday April 29, 2012 or City Winery NY, NY June 24, 2012 (with Martha Wainwright).  Limited copies of CDs and vinyl will be available at the shows.  That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

Nine Mile Records is presenting a special Grand Ole Echo deal! Order Marvin Etzioni's new 2 CD Set, Marvin Country! at a discount and pick it up at his show at The Grand Ole Echo on April 29!

http://ninemilerecords.mybisi.com/product/marvin-country-cd-grand-ole-echo-special

For more information, please visit http://www.marvincountry.com/